University of Charleston Athletics

The University of Charleston competes in NCAA Division II, which sits between the big-money spectacle of Division I and the purely recreational Division III level. About 27% of the school's 2,083 students participate in varsity athletics across 16 sports, making this a campus where you'll definitely know student-athletes in your classes. The Golden Eagles play in the Mountain East Conference, a regional league that includes other small schools from West Virginia, Virginia, and surrounding states. The athletic department distributes over $6 million in scholarships annually, meaning talented players can get significant help paying for college. Division II schools like Charleston offer competitive athletics with some scholarships but without the massive stadiums and TV coverage you'd see at major universities. Games have a tight-knit community feel where professors and classmates actually show up to cheer.